Victims in Moscow synagogue attack seeking tougher verdict

Lawyers acting for seven victims in a stabbing attack in a Moscow synagogue said Friday they had filed an appeal against a court ruling clearing the assailant of race-hate charges.

MOSCOW, March 31 (RIA Novosti) - Lawyers acting for seven victims in a stabbing attack in a Moscow synagogue said Friday they had filed an appeal against a court ruling clearing the assailant of race-hate charges.

"We have appealed to the Supreme Court to quash the court ruling, which found [the defendant] not guilty of inciting racial and religious hatred," Vadim Kluvgant said.

On Monday, Moscow City Court handed down a 13-year jail term to Alexander Koptsev, who was found guilty of the attempted murder of nine people at a central Moscow synagogue on January 11.

Koptsev, 20, pleaded not guilty, but apologized to his victims. The court ruled that Koptsev should undergo psychiatric treatment while in prison.

Prosecutor Kira Gudim said earlier this month that it had been Koptsev's third attempt to attack a synagogue, after two previous attacks in late December and early January had ended in failure. Doctors have said Koptsev suffered from schizophrenia, but investigators say he was in his right mind when he committed the crime, and was not a member of any extremist group.

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